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Photobooks of 2017 - Border Roads by Tony O'Shea

Remarkable images remind us of border strife in the early 90's

Wed 27 Dec 2017

This remrkable set of images by Tony O'Shea from "Border Roads" looks at "Days of action" on unapproved border roads from 1990 - 1994. All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea

The British security forces frequently blocked these "unapproved" roads by various means including erecting enormous concrete blocks, blowing huge craters or even blowing up bridges to prevent traffic crossing from one side to the other. All Photographs: Tony O'Shea

The security forces insisted that these backroads were being used for gunrunning etc. All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

This disruption was deeply resented by local people who were greatly inconvenienced by the restriction of their movement & days of action were were frequently organised during which the people attempted to reopen the roads sufficiently to allow the passage of a car or tractor through again. All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

If a passage was satisfactorily opened sometimes a band might march through to indicate the success of the operation. All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

On a few occasions the people of the area around the Lackey Bridge in Monaghan organised anti border festivals to coincide with their Days of Action. All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

Neil Blaney at an action rally. All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

Martin McGuinness at an action rally. All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com

All photographs copyright Tony O'Shea - "Border Roads"1990 -1994 is available from caferoyalbooks.com